Imam Ali’s Sayings on Speech and Speaking Part1

 
Speech is between two bad qualities, namely: too much and too little: too much [of it] is babble and too little is inarticulateness and speechlessness.

Speeking too much makes the wise one stumble and makes the tolerant one weary, therefore do not talk so much that others get fed up and do not be so reticent that you are humiliated.

Speech is in your control as long as you have not uttered it, but once you utter it you become shackled by it.

Speech is like medicine, a little of it is beneficial but too much of it can be fatal.

Reduce [your] speech and you will be safe from blame.

Reduce your speech and you will remain safe from censure.

Beware of offensive speech for indeed it fills the hearts with spite [and hatred].

Beware of excessive speech for indeed it increases errors and brings about weariness.

Beware of excessive [and impertinent] speech, for indeed it manifests your hidden flaws and provokes your silent enemies,.

Beware of speech which is offensive, for indeed it confines you to [the company of] vile people and repels the honorable ones from you.

Beware of speaking about something whose way you are unfamiliar with and whose reality you are unaware of, for indeed your speech indicates your intellect, and your expression informs about your level of understanding, so limit your long tongue to that which keeps you safe, and make your speech concise to [the extend of] what is deemed good, for indeed this is more beautiful for you and more indicative of your merit.

There is no benefit in speech without action.

The most veracious speech is that which conforms to the truth.

The best of utterances is that which is affirmed by action.

The people who resemble the Prophets of Allah are those who speak the truth the most and are most patient in acting upon it,

The closest of servants to Allah, the Glorified, is one who speaks the truth even if it is against him and one who acts upon the truth even if there is something he dislikes in it.

It is worse than inarticulateness for one to speak more than [what] is necessary.

The most accurate shot is speech that is prudent.

The best speech is that which is adorned by good arrangement and understood by [both] the elite and the general publisc.

The most conveying eloquent speech is that which is easily passed on [and understood] correctly and which is appropriately concise.

The most honourable speech is the truth.

The best speech is that which is not dismissed by the earts and is not difficult for the minds to comprehend.

Verily polite speech and the propagation of peace are forms of worship.

Indeed the preference of speech over action is a shortcoming, and the preference of action over speech is indeed a beauty and an adornment.

The practice of the wicked is [using] vulgar speech.

The one who listens to obscene speech is a partner of the speeker.

Bad speech degrades ones prestige and magnanimity.

Offensive speech degrades ones status and corrupts brotherhood.

The worst speech is that which contradicts itself.

The worst of narrations is one that has the most falsehood.

I am amazed at the one who speaks about that which neither benefits him in this world nor for which reward is written for him in the Hereafter.

Eschew speaking about that which you do not know, and making statements about that which you are not responsible for, and hold yourself back from a path when you fear its deviation.

Many an utterance is hurtful.

Many an utterance is like a [sharp] sword.

Many an utterance has taken away a blessing.

Many a syllable has brought death.

Many an utterance is more severe than an assault.

Many a strife has been instigated by a word.

Many a speech is such that the [appropriate] reply for it is silence.

Many an utterance is such that silence is better than it.

Many a war has been started beause of a [single] word.

Many a word is more piercing than an arrow.

Think and then speak, [for by this] you will remain safe from error.

Speech may, at times, be harmful.

Speaking less hides [ones] faults and decreases [ones] sins.

Speaking less conceals shameful flaws and keeps one safe from missteps.

Reduce your speech and shorten your hopes.

How many a war has been started by a single word.